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Former judge to advise church sex abuse inquiry

Barney Zwartz

Retired Supreme Court judge Frank Vincent will be the senior legal adviser to the parliamentary inquiry into how churches handled complaints of sexual abuse, the state government has announced.

Victims and advocates who have been critical of the inquiry's scope, the short time allowed for its investigation and the resources allocated to it will have some of their fears allayed by such a senior appointment.

Respected on both sides of politics, Mr Vincent was a judge of the Court of Appeals for nine years, conducted two formal inquiries — including into the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions — and was a consultant to the Australian Law Reform Commission.

The government also announced that former South Australian police commissioner Mal Hyde will be senior adviser on investigative and policing-related matters. Mr Hyde has 45 years' experience as a police officer, including as a deputy commissioner of Victoria Police.

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Mr Vincent will be supported by a prosecutor and solicitor, who are yet to be appointed. Submissions to the Family and Community Development Committee close on August 31. The committee will report to Parliament by April 30.